The 5-foot-9, 175-pound Johnson has played quarterback, running back, receiver, safety, linebacker and returned kicks at McKenzie, a tiny 1A school about 110 miles northeast of Mobile. He is expected to play defensive back at Southern Miss.

Brown becomes the ninth verbal commitment for Southern Miss, according to rivals.com, and the fourth from Alabama. The other Southern Miss commitments from Alabama are Gasdsden linebacker Terrick Wright, Gadsden tight end Collin Jarbo, Wenonah-Birmingham defensive end Michael Smith and Briarwood Christian receiver Cooper Harrington.

Verbal commitments are non-binding, and players cannot sign paperwork formalizing their decision until National Signing Day on Feb. 2, 2011.

Brown also held scholarship offers from Troy, Tennessee and Duke, said McKenzie coach Miles Brown.